The Meeting

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(Edited)


Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash


Take a deep breath and relax. Take a deep breath and relax, I repeated in my mind consecutively. It will only be a couple of hours, maybe less if I'm lucky.

My fingers began to shake, I became a human earthquake.

It will only be a meeting, nothing more. Will there be a lot of people? Will I have to socialize? No, fuck, I'm sorry for Beatrice but I don't want to go anymore!

"Hey Harold, are you ready?" Shit! It's Colin. "Hurry up friend, it's almost time, Beatrice will be very angry if we leave her alone waiting."

Oh! Why did I have to agree to go to that stupid high school reunion? Beatrice is very pushy, sometimes she should be more considerate. She tried to be well dressed, but I can't stop thinking about this boredom.

I look in the mirror and look at my shirt, is it very wrinkled? Or is it just my imagination? Just like in high school, I was sometimes teased for being badly dressed. My mother did not iron my clothes and my shoes were always dirty. My hair was very dandruff and my ears were always full of excess earwax like an erupting volcano.

I had my face like a pizza and sometimes I forgot to wipe the blemishes out of my eyes. High school was a traumatic stage for me which stimulated the development of my social anxiety. I remember every detail with contempt and fear, and let my body shake to get it off my chest.

“Harold, we're leaving in five minutes, please hurry up,” Colin warned, while I was still in front of the closet mirror.

I couldn't adjust my tie properly; The truth is that I didn't like it, the colors seemed loud and stupid to me. “I won't be wearing a tie,” I said, then reached for my shoes.

I put them on as fast as I could. I hurt my thumb trying to adjust them. I stared at my finger with relentless intensity as I remembered how Owen Hathaway had broken my finger on one of the lockers in the hallway. He was the most popular and bad boy in high school, whenever he could, he was willing to annoy me; making fun of my physical appearance.

I detached myself from my memories and took a deep breath, a little panicked thinking that I would find Owen at the meeting. I continued to finish getting dressed when a bottle of perfume slipped across the bed and fell to the floor, I took it and immediately another memory clouded my mind.

I had a crush on Leena Forbes, one of the most popular girls in school. She had hair dark and straight as night and her eyes were wonderful and perfect; like two resplendent and huge gems. Her face was captivating, like that of a porcelain doll and her smile was like a stunning shine that knocked me over when I saw it.

At a Valentine's Day party organized by the school, I wanted to declare my love to him with a gift. I bought her her favorite perfume and took it with me to the party. I was nervous but full of courage, and at the moment of declaring my love to her, she threw a glass of soda on top of me calling me a 'harasser'.

Everyone made fun of me that night. I ran from that place shot with a broken heart and tears running down my face.

"Harold, get out of there, please!" Colin's call brought me back to reality again. "I'm coming!" I replied, I was ready so I opened the door and met my friend.

I was nervous inside the car. My palms slapped my knees. My back hunched more and more as the minutes passed. I clenched my teeth brushing them hard. I scratched my neck and head constantly until I half ruined my hairstyle.

We arrived at the meeting place and I automatically sighed. “Everything will be fine, everything will be fine,” I whispered as Colin got out of the car; luckily he couldn't hear me. We headed to the entrance where Beatrice was waiting for us impatiently.

"You're late..." She said annoyed.

“Sorry, but Harold took a long time getting ready,” Colin explained. Beatrice immediately sensed that something was not right with me.

“Don't worry, everything will be fine,” Beatrice asserted with a smile and took my arm gently.

Upon entering the place, everyone turned to see us. They smiled. They raised their glasses as if in celebration mode, shouting my name in unison.

"What's going on?" I asked Beatrice and Colin.

“This meeting is for you, Harold. You are a good person and very successful, which is why all of your high school classmates have come together to pay tribute to you,” Harold explained as he led me to the center of the gathering.

I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. My face was covered in astonishment and it was difficult for me to release any gesture of expressiveness. Many of them came up to me and apologized for how badly they treated me in high school, among them was Owen; who approached with his wife expressing his admiration for me.

The nerves dissipated and I began to feel relieved to be the center of attention; getting good feedback. I began to show a smile that would not be erased from my face until I saw Leena; I recognized her immediately.

It seemed that time had stopped on her. I wanted to get closer to talk to her, but a feeling of panic stopped me. She instantly looked at me and smiled at me, walked up to me, and started talking to me. She was very apologetic for what she did to me that night at that Valentine's party, and I had no choice but to forgive her.

She was a different woman, with clarity when speaking and a passion for the arts. We talked for most of the meeting and this time she made me feel comfortable. It was a pleasant night, the best I've ever had in my life.


THE END





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18 comments
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Nice.
I can imagine what was felt when you were surrounded by those who hurt you are now willing to apologize.

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Apologies are always necessary to ease the pain of a tormented mind, Harold found relief and comfort in that beautiful moment. Thanks for comment.

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Sometimes we get disappointed with our crunch just with the way they behave with us, but getting to know them fully would have been the best. I'm pretty sure that this scene would keep on hurting you and most especially when you see her, but your heart will not stop beating for her

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I agree, although things can get better and more beautiful. Thanks for your comment.

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Impressive!
I don't know why I don't want to read your post shocked😂 when I don't have a huge time to imagine the story in my mind. Ok, then I am explaining why.
It's because I like your article very much and I want to imagine each line. When I start reading your article I can connect with it easily and even after you finished your article I am thinking it would be better if you have written this article a little bit more and extended the length.
!PIZZA

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Your words are confusing, but they make me shudder with joy 😹 I like when people feel things thanks to my writings. I made this story inspired by the experience of a friend who, in the end, managed to be happy and achieve success. Thank you very much for your comment and that slice of pizza!

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Your words are confusing,

It was confusing at the beginning but till the end, you might understand it very well. I just tried to give a shock by the first line😂.

I made this story inspired by the experience of a friend who, in the end, managed to be happy and achieve success

Yes, I can feel it. Keep writing like this. I am here to reading your article.

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There are moments when we think that everything is going to go wrong, but in the end we discover that they are very pleasant and leave good memories. The years and the maturity of the people made up for Harold's suffering in high school. Very good story.

Thanks for sharing.
Good day.

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Thank you, it's a pleasure to share my stories for the community. It is a pleasure to always have your opinion in my space.

I wish you a happy day today!

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Dark and moody.Your piece is packed with emotion on overdrive. There’s the moment of reflection—staring in the mirror and not admiring what is seen, the crumpled clothing, the absolute angst.

Then there’s light..

The light of hope, possibility and a future. It’s all shines as brightly as your closing lines.

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Your words are very beautiful, I'm glad you liked it. This writing is very sentimental, although some things escaped me. Grateful again.

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A good virtue to be held to high esteem by anyone willing to have good relationship with others is ability to apologize when a mistake is identified. It took them many years but the action itself counts more than the time.

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You're right, Harold finally found the peace he needed in the end, it took a long time but that's how it was.

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The story explores themes of self-improvement and second chances. Harold has carried the weight of painful memories and social anxiety with him since his teenage years, but during the reunion he has the opportunity to rediscover himself and receive the recognition and appreciation he lacked in the past. It shows how perceptions can change and how people can grow and evolve over time.

The text also addresses issues of self-acceptance and forgiveness. Harold meets Leena, who hurt him in the past, but now shows remorse and genuine interest in getting to know him better. This interaction gives Harold the opportunity to forgive and let go of past resentments. Through this encounter, the ability of people to change and the importance of giving second chances is shown.

Overall, the story conveys a message of hope and personal growth. It shows how past experiences can affect people, but also highlights the possibility of healing and finding happiness through self-improvement and connection with others. The story reminds us that everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves and that empathy and forgiveness can play an important role in our lives.

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